Annual celebration comes off without a hitch
Ojai Valley News photo by Tim Dewar
Parade participants get in the spirit with a bit of face makeup and fuzzy ears.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter
Four-year-old Ryder Mazza, of Mira Monte, said his favorites were "the horsies and the big dog."
The Delamore family of Ojai agreed the horses were great, but Nathaniel, 13, Conor, 11 and Shane, 9, also liked the Model A cars, Corvettes and "the señoritas."
The 2018 Ojai Independence Day Parade stepped off at 10 a.m. to temperatures in the 70s.
Nearly 60 entries, led by the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County, paraded up a chair-lined Ojai Avenue, from Country Club Drive to Park Road.
Entries included horse and school groups, classic and antique vehicles, and first responders such as the Ventura County Fire Department and Upper Ojai Search and Rescue.
“I loved the diversity and seeing all the different groups and organizations,” said Ojai Independence Day Committee president Kristi McGhee-Adejumo. “Everybody seemed to have a great time.”
Photo by Holly Roberts
Fireworks silhouette a group of watchers during this year’s July 4 celebration in Ojai.
Sixth-grade move is gathering steam
Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter
The Ojai Unified School District’s (OUSD) School Board will host a special meeting April 19 to discuss potentially moving the District’s sixth graders to Matilija Junior High School.
Due to declining enrollment across the District, Matilija’s population of seventh and eighth graders is set to shrink to 325 students by the 2020-2021 school year if no changes are made.
OUSD Superintendent Andy Cantwell said District staff is busily gathering information for the April 19 session.
See also: “Sixth-grade move looks financially feasible,” Ojai Valley News, Feb. 20, 2018.
OUSD Assistant Superintendent Sherrill Knox is gauging the interest of current elementary-school teachers in being part of a transition team that would guide Matilija’s change from junior high to middle school, Cantwell said.
“If this were to move forward, current faculty will be involved in developing the concept,” Cantwell said.
Council may vote itself a pay raise
Andra Belknap, Ojai Valley News reporter
The Ojai City Council voted four to one April 10 to direct city staff to draft an ordinance that would raise their stipends for the first time since 2006.
Ojai's five Council members each receive a $475 monthly stipend for their work. The proposed ordinance will raise that amount to $760 per month, an annual increase of $3,420 per member.
Mayor Johnny Johnston was the lone vote in opposition to the raise, arguing that the matter should be discussed during the Council's April 24 budget workshop.
Under California Government Code, Council salaries may be increased by five percent each calendar year.
Ojai's Municipal Code states that City Council members may receive a $75 monthly salary monthly and that amount may not be increased without an affirmative vote of the city's electorate.
In a staff report provided to the Council, Ojai City Manager Steve McClary stated that section of the municipal code is not currently operative.
The $75 amount was set in 1968, he said.
Commissioners' top priority for city staff is parking
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News reporter
With an eye on fixing the parking problem downtown, the Ojai Planning Commission met April 4 to talk about priorities for the city's Community Development Department (CDD).
“I don't know if this just coincides with my recent arrival, but it seemed like a good way for me to get up to speed on things,” said Luke Connolly, incoming community development director for the city of Ojai.
In February, Connolly became the sixth person in six years to serve as CDD director.
The discussion was aimed at not only prioritizing, Connolly said, but looking at short-term items that can be finished versus mid-term and long-term.
“To get these things in somewhat of a fixed order, to see what we tackle first and maybe get extended timelines as to how long it will take to get through some of these things,” Connolly said, “or even identifying resources we may need to complete these.”
Taylor to star in 'Night Must Fall'
Submitted photo
David Nelson Taylor
Adanna Moriarty, Special to the Ojai Valley News
When “Night Must Fall” opens this weekend at the Ojai Art Center Theater, David Nelson Taylor will bring his myriad talents to the leading part of “Dan.” A transplant to Ojai from the New York theater scene, Taylor said he was intrigued by this production for a chance to work with Director Richard Camp. “I’ve been a fan of his since I moved here in 2016 and saw the quality of his productions,” Taylor said. “We worked briefly together on a staged reading in the Libbey Bowl for Ojai’s Centennial Celebration and I think we both wanted to continue collaborating!”
Taylor is a resident teaching artist with the Ojai Youth Opera and teaches improvisational acting to children and adults.
Nordhoff musical, 'Crazy for You,' is crazy fun time
Photo by Mary M. Long
Jem Ruf and Stella Moore headline Nordhoff High School's "Crazy for You," inviting the whole community out to enjoy George and Ira Gershwin's amazing score and lyrics.
By John Hankins
Special to the Ojai Valley News
Nordhoff High School’s musical is a happy affair this year, transporting the audience from New York to Nevada, complete with snappy lyrics and classic tunes by George and Ira Gershwin, tap dancing, harmonies, love stories, eccentrics and sets that embrace them all.
It’s “Crazy for You,” a winner of the Best Musical Tony when it opened in 1992, followed by similar awards in Britain and Canada, and sprinkled with top accolades for its choreography, costumes and set.
Visiting Korean artist making his moon jars
Photos by Lynn Malone
Master potter Set Youngii works the clay at Ojai's Firestick Pottery Studio.
Lynn Malone, Special to the Ojai Valley News
Master potter Seo Younggi’s last day in Ojai will be Feb. 16. That day, the visiting artist from South Korea will offer demonstrations at Ojai’s Firestick Pottery Studio’s show and sale at 1804 E. Ojai Ave. A farewell reception for him will follow the day’s festivities.
Not long ago, Firestick Pottery Studio's owner Robin Nahin learned that Younggi was hoping to come to the United States to create a large body of work for an upcoming art show in New York and needed a pottery studio where he could work. Nahin was excited to offer the Firestick Studio and invited him to come to Ojai.
Since there was a bit of a language barrier, little else was known about this mysterious visitor, other than the fact that he planned to create a large number of pieces while in Ojai. When his one request was that he would need 700 pounds of clay to start with, the magnitude of work he was planning came to light.
Since very little Korean media reaches the United States, Firestick staff didn't know that they were about to welcome an internationally acclaimed master potter and university professor. Younggi is well known in the art world, especially in Korea. Collectors travel to South Korea from all over the world to add to their collections of his work, often paying thousands of dollars for a coveted piece.
Downtown Ojai unrolls sidewalks
Art submitted
Painting by Patty Van Dyke
Downtown Ojai is staying open late for the monthly Third Friday event Feb. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Ojai Valley Artists Gallery will be featuring the work of ceramicist Margo Eidson, jeweler Mary Balmer and painter Patty Van Dyke.
Balmer’s work features handmade bronze, beadwork and enamel components to highlight their texture, color and nature. Her work covers the spectrum from delicate to pieces that make a casual handcrafted statement.
Eidson’s pottery is also casual with a kick, whether featuring hand-drawn equines racing across a field or subtle earth patterns with muted colors. All her pieces will make any home a little more personal.
Van Dyke’s work is full of colorful imagery and often makes one smile, just like its creator. She works primarily with watercolor on canvas but has been know to create beautiful wearable art as well with scarves featuring her images on canvas. She also will incorporate mixed media and ink if the spirit moves her.
Landscape photographer will visit Ojai
Photo submitted
Landscape photo by Dan Holmes
Letitia Grimes, Dan Holmes and Diane Paige, Special to the Ojai Valley News
The Ojai Photography Community, formerly called the Ojai Photo Club, will open a new year of free monthly presentations with landscape photographer Dan Holmes of Ventura. His talk, entitled “The Elusive Landscape – More Than Just a Pretty Picture,” will be held on Tuesday, Feb.19, at 7 p.m., in Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 W. Santa Ana St., Ojai.
The Ojai Valley community is invited to attend what will be a lively, informative and visually arresting talk by Holmes.
Lions cast takes stage for ‘Peter Pan Jr.’
Photo by Kirby Russell, Ojai Photographic Imagery
The Lions cast will perform “Peter Pan Jr.” Feb. 8 through 10 at the Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio, 907 El Centro St., Ojai.
Showtimes are Fridays at 6 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There will be a special tots performance on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m., by donation at the door.
Two shows have been added to be held Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.
The cost is $10 for general seating for all ages.
Group rates may be available for organizations or groups. Group tickets are $8.50 for Saturday matinee performances. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to apply.
Based on J.M. Barrie's classic tale and featuring an unforgettable score by Morris "Moose" Charlap and Jule Styne with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and Betty Comden and Adolph Green “Peter Pan” is one of the most beloved and frequently performed family favorites of all time.
Tickets may be ordered online at Eventbrite or by calling OYES at 805-646-4300.
Flamenco Performance series comes to Ojai Feb. 16
Flamenco performers back at Ojai Underground Exchange
Ventura County's only Flamenco Performance series is back with its dynamic rhythms and gypsy songs for its second season Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. at Ojai Underground Exchange, 1016 W. Ojai Ave.
Tickets are $25 and can be ordered through www.squareup.com/store/undergroundexchange.
Its website is www.ojaiartsexchange.com/events.
The Ojai Arts Exchange has teamed up with Flamenco dancer Wendy Castellanos to curate a night of authentic Flamenco music and dance. The show will feature Tony Triana strumming the guitar; Antonio de Jerez, singing gypsy melodies; and Cristina Lucio, Jamie Padilla and Wendy Castellanos setting the stage on fire with their entrancing movements and heart-wrenching expressions.
The show will open with the mood-setting classical Spanish guitar played by Scott Wolf.